Has anyone ever given any thought as to the science behind many of the moves we see in martial arts and why they work? While some moves are obvious, such as punching or kicking causing physical damage, swelling the areas or breaking them or what not? have you ever wondered why some moves work better on some people then they do others, like various submissions? say a choke or arm bar?

Now this might seem a bit off of a discussion, but when you understand the science behind how a body works it just allows you to be more efficient. I'll add more soon myself just curious to see what others know instead of just putting this all up as a here is the info type of thing feel free to read this way oth3ers can respond and add more readily.

The elbow controls the shoulder and the wrist, so by articulating the elbow you gain control of the arm, the hand and the torso. Articulating the elbow in a spiral to the back and then towards the ground causes the torso to articulate and the body to turn away from you. This is the source of the Aikido techniques Ikkyo, Nikkyo, Sankyo and Yonkyo.

If you articulate the elbow forward then you can cause the elbow to lock, this can be used either as a throw or as an armbar. The armbar is a standard elbow lock a la BJJ and the throw is an Aikido throw called Shiho Nage.

I knew you'd be the first to repond, great one too surprise you did not move further down the arm and explin how to controlthe wrist to trow someone in a desired direction

If you hold the wrist adjacent to the tricept and pull down while rolling the forearm it causes the opponent to lose their balance and fall backwards. There really isn't much control of the wrist required.

Instead of barring the arm, rotating it redirects the shoulder and causes the opponent to fall to the ground. The way that you spiral the arm doesn't matter, just maintain control of it.